ZAGREB, Nov 15 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted the Government's draft strategy for Croatian Railways (HZ). The objective of the strategy is to turn HZ into modern railways which might
compete with road transport and will no longer encumber the state budget. One of the elements in the implementation of the strategy is to lay off 7,000 workers from the current number of employees (some 19,000). Transport Minister Alojz Tusek told the lower house the incumbent Government would not dismiss redundant workers in the usual manner, when sacked workers were left to fend for themselves. A social programme for the care for layoffs from HZ will be made public by the end of the month, Tusek said, adding that some workers would be offered redundancy cash and some retrained for other jobs. Apart from the Strategy, a conclusion was endorsed by MPs on asking
ZAGREB, Nov 15 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of
Representatives on Wednesday adopted the Government's draft
strategy for Croatian Railways (HZ).
The objective of the strategy is to turn HZ into modern railways
which might compete with road transport and will no longer encumber
the state budget.
One of the elements in the implementation of the strategy is to lay
off 7,000 workers from the current number of employees (some
19,000).
Transport Minister Alojz Tusek told the lower house the incumbent
Government would not dismiss redundant workers in the usual manner,
when sacked workers were left to fend for themselves. A social
programme for the care for layoffs from HZ will be made public by the
end of the month, Tusek said, adding that some workers would be
offered redundancy cash and some retrained for other jobs.
Apart from the Strategy, a conclusion was endorsed by MPs on asking
the Government to draw up a long-term strategy for railway traffic
and social programmes for redundant workers.
Reacting upon requests of deputies that the Government should in
detail notify the Sabor on intentions to close some railway lines,
the transport minister said the Government "is not planning to do
anything illegal" and that the House of Representatives would
decide on the possible discontinuation of traffic on some
railroads.
(hina) ms